Tour of Spain winner suspended after positive test

Four-time Tour of Spain winner Roberto Heras has tested positive for EPO and been suspended by his team Liberty Seguros.

The 31-year-old Spaniard, a former team-mate of Lance Armstrong, took the test on the penultimate stage of his fourth Tour of Spain victory in September after coming second in a time-trial.

Liberty Seguros, who were informed of the failed A sample on October 27, had hoped to wait until they got the results from the B sample later this month before acting.

However, following leaks in the Spanish media, they have suspended Heras with immediate effect while confirming their belief that the rider will prove his innocence.

Heras insists he has not cheated and speculated that the failed test is the result of a “laboratory error”.

A huge star in his native country, Heras recently auctioned the bike he used on the final stage of the Tour of Spain for charity, raising just under €25,000 for the Hurricane Katrina relief fund.